Hotel prices a bargain in June, but still higher than last year

Bargain season arrived in June with the lowest hotel prices of the year in South Florida.

A report from travel research firm STR shows that average daily rates increased across the region compared to the same time a year ago. But as usual, June ushered in the less-packed, lower-priced summer season.

Hotel occupancy dropped by less than a percent in Miami-Dade to 71.7 percent, although demand increased even as more rooms were added. Rates were up about 3 percent to more than $148, and per-room revenue increased by 2.4 percent to top $106.

The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau pointed out that the number of rooms in the region reached a new high in June of 50,626, with hotels selling 3 percent more rooms compared to a year earlier.

Broward tourism boosters said the county’s hotels had their strongest ever June, reaching the highest occupancy and average daily rates for that month in history. Hotels were almost 74 percent full, an increase of 2.6 percent, while rates jumped almost 4 percent to $108.05. Revenue per available room jumped 6.5 percent, landing at nearly $80.

In an email, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau president Nicki Grossman said the destination has seen year-over-year occupancy increase for 67 straight months.

She wrote: “Bring on fall, we’re ready to shatter our previous year’s benchmark!!!”

The Florida Keys, which had a 5.2 percent increase in supply, saw occupancy drop by less than a percent to 80.4 percent. Average rates were about $226 a day, up nearly 4 percent, leaving hotels with a about $182 in revenue per available room, an increase of more than 3 percent.

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Hotel prices a bargain in June, but still higher than last year."